Ding ding ding
The familiar screaming of a bell had every kid anticipating the day ahead of them. That is, the day ahead of them after school ended.
“Okay class, let’s start today with an interesting lesson: mana!”
Luke’s ears perked up at the mention of the word. He figured that though he couldn’t use mana, maybe learning about it would help him realize the problem.
“Every person in the world has mana. You, me, your parents, everyone. Even the trees, the birds, and the rocks all have mana.
What is mana you may be asking? Well, it’s how many do things like jump higher, run faster, and use our elements. It’s our energy source. You wouldn’t be alive without mana, therefore anyone who says they don’t have mana simply hasn’t figured out how to use their own.”
Luke felt himself slink back into his chair, as if that last remark was directed at him and him alone.
“When you’re born, you develop this little ball like object near your heart that absorbs and expels mana as needed. Your mana flows throughout your entire body and can be called forth by merely thinking on where you wish to concentrate it.
When you fight, your mana enhances your strength and makes a shield around you to protect from physical blows.
You can’t see mine, other people’s, or even your own, but rest assured that it’s there. You don’t have to think about it, because it’s always there unless you run low on mana. Choosing to protect yourself with mana means not attacking, but it could save your life.
The more mana you have, the stronger you can hit, the harder you can take a hit, the longer you can fight, and the better you can control your elements. Just by using this exhausting this energy, your body will learn to take in more. Train hard with mana and you’ll be strong.
Unfortunately, a shield and slightly enhanced physical abilities is all you can do without an element. We’ll talk about elements in the coming days.”
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Luke watched the girl in front of him collect her meal of orange juice, carrots, and a hot dog before running off to a table. Relinquishing his death grip on the metal ridge next to him, he moved to grab his own lunch, now watching the blonde boy behind him like a hawk.
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“What’s your name?”
“Luke?”
“David. Don’t worry, I’m not going to push you. Wouldn’t be funny a second time.”
Realizing he had his food, Luke walked to an empty table, hoping it would stay empty.
‘This sucks. I wish I could be Elizabeth right now’ Luke had thought to himself, chowing down on the food he hadn’t admitted to missing on yesterday. It was bad enough what was happening, but now he was regretting not getting his brother involved.
Looking up from his table, he caught sigh of Maple and David talking, the latter pointing in his general direction. He could only guess what was being said, but he tried to pay it no mind, knowing he would get his revenge in a few hours. He hoped.
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The bell had struck for the penultimate time, indicating it was the hour to release the kids for recess. Luke and David had stood on the hill looking over the school, getting as far away from adult supervision as they reasonably could. Staring at one another, Luke felt his heart beating faster and faster, with each passing second regretting his decision more and more.
Suddenly the blonde boy had taken a swing at Luke, which he dodged and attempted to retaliate. Though he landed a punch, his fist hadn’t fazed David, who followed up with a slug that knocked Luke to the ground.
Getting up, Luke lunged at David with his right fist before pulling back and faking him out, then following with a blow to the stomach. Again, the attack hadn’t winded the opponent even a little. Luke, however, got a straight punch to the nose, knocking him down again.
‘And if you do get in a fight, end it as soon as you can. It might be embarrassing, but it’s better than getting beat up even more.’
This time, Luke wasn’t getting up. The words of his brother blaring inside his head, he realized he could try and fight David until he was black and blue, or he could just kiss the dirt and not go home bruised.
“You going to get up?”
“No” his muffled voice wrestling itself from the grass and sand.
“Guess I win then. Oh well, better luck next time.”
Sitting upright, Luke watched as David walked off with the girl fawning over him.
“My hero” she cooed.
Her adoration over the bully made Luke feel sick, but the day was almost over at least. All he had to do was live until the weekend and he could see the princess again.
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Before he left the school grounds, Luke inspected himself, making sure he had no cuts or bruises on him. He had only now realized that while his body was unscathed, his shorts had taken on some sand and dirt.
“So Luke, how was your day?”
The younger brother froze up at those words. Not necessarily what was said, but even as young as he was, Luke knew the inflection in his brother’s voice was knowing and disappointed.
“I got in a fight.”
“Luke…”
“I know you told me not to, but I had no way of running.”
“You don’t look hurt. I guess it could have been worse.”
“He was the same kid who got me in trouble yesterday. He wanted to fight real bad.”
“Oh yeah? People are like that. I’ve gotten into a lot of fights. Some people use it to get to know one another. If he tries to do it again, make sure to let me know, because that means he actually doesn’t like you.”
“You’re not gonna tell dad, are you?”
“Pfft, no!”